USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume II Pt II > Part 35
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
of that village, in Webster township, but after living there six months sold that place and moved into Center township, where he purchased a farm and resided two years. He then purchased a farm in Webster township, the tract consisting of 106 acres, but soon thereafter rented it and purchased the residence which he occupies in the village of Webster. The subject of this review is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party and served two terms as trustee of Gratis township, Preble county, Ohio, besides serving as supervisor in Wayne township, Butler county, and as a member of the school board in Gratis township, Preble county. On Oct. 10, 1863, Mr. Cooper was united in mar- riage to Miss Amy A. Conarroe, born in Butler county, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1846, a daughter of John and Harriet (Swain) Conarroe, of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have five children: William, born Aug. 17, 1864, married Lina Gunkle, is a farmer and resides at Fountain City; Jennie, born Aug. 30, 1867, is the wife of William G. Angspurger, a farmer in Webster township ; John E., born March 7, 1874, married Ida Ritter and resides in Chicago ; Clarence J., born Oct. 14, 1879, married Pearl Voss and resides in Richmond; and Letha, born Dec. 12, 1883, is the wife of Robert II. Commons, a farmer, of Wayne township.
James Monroe Nutter is numbered among the successful and progressive farmers of Wayne county, and his well improved farm, upon which he is now living practically retired, is located in Web- ster township, near the village of Webster. He is a son of the late Benjamin and Amy (Sullivan) Nutter, the former born in Union county, Indiana, in 1809, and the latter in North Carolina. The paternal grandparents came to Indiana from Maine, and Benjamin Nutter became an extensive land-owner in Union county, where he resided until his death, in 1856, his widow surviving until 1898. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject of this review is the fourth in order of birth. James M. Nutter re- verts to fair Union county as the place of his nativity, born Nov. 3, 1837. He received his early educational training in the schools of his native county and was about nineteen years of age at the time of his father's death, when he took charge of the farm. At about that time he also learned the carpenters' trade, and in 1886 removed to Jay county, where he resided six months. He then re- moved to Miami county, where he resided fourteen years, and then came to Wayne county and located on the farm where he resides. It consists of forty-nine and one-half acres of land in Webster township, which he rents out by the field, and is living essentially retired. In politics Mr. Nutter is found arrayed as a staunch sup- porter of the cause of the Republican party. On Nov. 5, 1876, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Matilda Pearson, born at Dub- lin, Wayne county, Feb. 25, 1853, a daughter of Isaac and Mar- garet (Smith) Pearson, natives of U'nion county, the former born May 12, 1824, and the latter May 28, 1825, and of this nnion were born two children-Margaret and Paul. Margaret, born Ang. 24, 1877, was married on Oct. II, 1899, to B. H. Stewart, and they have three children-James D., Dorothy, and Dale. Paul, born Jan. 10,
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1880, is in Los Angeles, Cal. Isaac Pearson, father of Mrs. Nutter, served one year in the Civil war as a member of Company D, Eighth Indiana infantry, being discharged on account of illness. lle died Dec. 6, 1909, and his wife died Jan. 28, 1904. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living.
James B. Brown, of Webster township, is one of the best known of Wayne county farmers, ranks high as an agriculturist, and is one of the leading citizens of that community. His father. Wil- liam Brown, was an early settler of Abington township. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, came to America with his parents when twelve years old, and spent the remainder of his days in Indiana, his life being replete with good work and deeds for his fellow men. . He early assumed the responsibilities of life in his own be- half, and from a beginning as a teamster between U'nion county and Cincinnati, and as a laborer by the month, was soon possessed of a farm in Abington township, Wayne county, where his later days were spent and his death occurred. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Ann Wood, of Union county, Indiana, born of Irish parentage, and she died Oct. 17, 1897, having become the mother of eight children : William and Sarah are deceased; James B. is the next in order of birth ; Carrie is the wife of John Fender, a real- estate dealer in Centerville; Charles is a farmer and resides in Union county ; Frank D. is a candy manufacturer and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Mattie is the wife of Celie Robbins, a farmer in Minnesota ; and Flora M. is the wife of Hamilton Squires, a farmer residing at Green's Fork. James B. Brown was born in Abing- ton township, Oct. 31, 1854. and has spent a goodly portion of his life in Wayne county, now owning one of the fine farms which make this county famous for its agricultural products. The edu- cational advantages which he enjoyed were those afforded by the schools in Abington township. His inclinations were along the line of agriculture. He resided with his father until twenty-two years old, and has made the cultivation of the soil his life's work. Upon initiating his independent career he rented land in Abing- ton township about three years and then purchased the farm now occupied by Joshua N. Swallow, in that township. After residing on that place about ten years he sold it and moved to Union county, where he resided a little more than ten years, and then came to Webster township and located on the farm where he re- sides. His landed possessions comprise 315 acres in Webster town- ship, constituting one of the ideal farmsteads of that section, and 160 acres one-half mile north of Richmond, which he has rented. Mr. Brown is a careful farmer, getting the best of results from the tilling of his land, but what is more important, he is a good and generous citizen and has the respect and good will of a wide cir- cle of friends and acquaintances. He is extremely generous by nature and no worthy cause or person has ever been refused as- sistance by him ; and as a public citizen he has always been active in the upbuilding of his township and county. He is broad-minded in all his views, an excellent conversationalist, and is one of the most prominent men in that section of the county. On Sept. 28,
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1882, he was married to Miss Mary Colvin, a sister of Josiah B. and Robert B. Colvin (see sketches). Of this union were born four children : Richard, born Aug. 5, 1883, resides at the parental home; Walter, born April 27. 1889, is employed in Richmond; Medie, born June, 7, 1891, and Esther, born June 17, 1893, reside at home with their parents.
Jonathan Mendenhall .- When it is stated that this well known carpenter and respected citizen of Webster township is a represen- tative of the third generation of the Mendenhall family in Wayne county it becomes evident that he is a scion of stock here founded in the early pioneer era. In short, the family name became identi- fied with the annals of this section of Indiana soon after the ad- mission of the State to the Union. Mr. Mendenhall was born on the farm where he resides, June 15, 1850, a son of Nathan and Rhoda R. (Bond) Mendenhall, the former born in North Carolina, in 1820, and the latter in Webster township, Wayne county, In- diana, in 1824. Nathan Mendenhall was a son of Jonathan and Charity Ann ( Philips) Mendenhall, who immigrated to Indiana when their son was six years old and located on a farm south of Green's Fork, in 1826. To the reclamation of his land Jonathan Mendenhall turned his attention, and he developed his property into a reasonably productive farm. Ile and his good wife reared their family there, but later resided a time on the farm now ocen- pied by their grandson, Jonathan, and still later removed to Hamil- ton county, where they spent the remainder of their days with a son. Nathan Mendenhall was reared to maturity on the old home- stead farm, in whose work he early began to assist, and his early educational privileges were those afforded in the pioneer schools of Clay township. His entire active career was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he was the owner of forty-eight acres of land in Webster township at the time of his death, in 1898. His widow still resides with her son, Jonathan, and of their seven children three survive the honored father: Harvey and Samuel are de- ceased ; Jonathan is the next in order of birth ; Clayton is deceased ; Charity Ann is the wife of Henry Atkinson, a farmer in Webster township ; Marietta is the wife of Nathan E. Overman, a carpenter contractor, of Richmond; and one child died in infancy. In Web- ster township Jonathan Mendenhall was reared and educated, duly availing himself of the advantages of the public schools. He be- gan his independent career by working as a farm hand and while still a young man served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's and plasterer's trades, in each of which he became a skilled workman. During all of his active career he has followed these trades, al- though he owns forty-eight acres of land in Webster township, the fields of which he rents out, and he resides on the farm, giv- ing some attention to stock-raising. His energy and discriminate management have brought to him a due measure of success and he is one of the independent and progressive mechanics of the county, where he has always merited and held popular confidence and es- teem. He is a Republican in his political proclivities and he and his wife hold membership in the Quaker church. In June, 1874,
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Mr. Mendenhall was united in marriage to Miss Martha Catey, born in Green township, this county, in 1853, a daughter of Samuel and Priscilla (Mullen) Catey, who spent their active lives in Green township and became the parents of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall have two children : Earl C., born June 29, 1876, resides in Winchester, Ind., is married to Olive Hoover, born April 11, 1878, daughter of Martin and Helena A. Hoover, of Randolph county, and they have three children-E. Lee, born Nov. 14, 1899, Reba II., born June 17, 1905, and M. Juanita, born Aug. 31, 1997; Willetta, born July 21, 1883, is the wife of Lawrence O. Clark, of Richmond, and they have three children-Hlazel, born June 7, 1900, Gladys, born Oct. 8, 1952, and Treva, born May 26, 1975.
George W. Pitts, of Webster township, is one of the represen- tative farmers of Wayne county and views with satisfaction the fact that he is a native son of the Hoosier State. where he has ever made his home and has achieved definite and worthy success as a reliable and enterprising farmer. He was born in Green township, Wayne county. Jan. 8, 1859, son of Harmon and Ruth (Knight ) Pitts, the former born in Guilford county, North Caro- lina, in 1823, and the latter in Grant county, Indiana. The paternal grandparents were Samuel and Martha (Meredith) Pitts. Samuel Pitts was born in 1793, and in 1815 was married to Martha Mere- dith, a daughter of David and Polly ( Farrington) Meredith. In 1830, with a family of six children, they immigrated to Wayne county, Indiana, and settled in New Garden township (now a por- tion of Webster) and resided there about one year. They then moved to another farm in New Garden township, where the parents spent the residue of their lives. Six children were born to them in Wayne county and all lived to maturity. The father died in the eightieth year of his age and the mother two years later at about the same age. They were members of the Society of Friends and their children adhered to the same faith. Harmon Pitts came to Indiana with his parents and remained with them until his mar- riage, when he settled in Green township, purchasing eighty acres of land. He was prudent and industrious and devoted his entire active career to farming, owning 250 acres of land when he died, in March, 1907. Ile was married in 1846 to Ruth, daughter of Thomas and Christina (Thomas) Knight, and they became the parents of eight children : Oliver H. is living retired in Fountain City ; Wil- liam is a farmer and resides one and one-half miles south of Rich- mond: Beulah Ann became the wife of John H. Green, of Green township, and died in February, 1911 ; Thomas C. resides with his brother William in Wayne township; and Benjamin and Isaac J. are twins, the former residing in Wayne township and the latter in New Garden township (see sketch of Isaac J. Pitts). The mother of these children died in 1878, and in 1880 Harmon Pitts married Mary, danghter of Davis Pegg, and widow of William Fulgher. In the public schools of New Garden and Green townships George W. Pitts secured his early educational discipline, and he resided at home until twenty-one years old. Hle then worked for his father about five years, and after his marriage continued on the home-
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stead in Green township one year. He then moved to New Garden township and lived on his father's farm there about fifteen years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm in Webster township. which he rented to another. He later sold this farm and purchased the farm which he had previously occupied in New Garden town- ship, and after residing there about two years sold it and pur- chased another farm in Webster township, where he resided five years. He then sold that place and purchased the farm of eighty- one acres where he resides, in Webster township, and this he farms in a general way, including the raising of stock. Mr. Pitts is found arrayed as a loyal supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and he and his wife are members of the Friends' church. Oct. 11, 1888, will ever remain a memorable date in the life history of Mr. Pitts, since it was that on which was solemnized his marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Steddom, born in Warren county, Ohio, July 7, 1866, a daughter of Isaac P. C. and Lucinda (Puckett) Steddom (see sketch of Isaac P. C. Steddom). Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pitts was born a daughter, Lucile, July 26, 1889. who is a teacher of instrumental music, and she re- sides at the parental home, having been educated in Richmond.
Isaac Pedric Compton Steddom, one of the most highly re- spected citizens of Webster township and a former merchant and postmaster at the village of Webster, was born near Lebanon, Ohio, March 1, 1841. His father was John F. Steddom, a promi- nent citizen of Warren county, Ohio, born in 1819, and died in 1878. His mother was Mary Ann (Compton) Steddom, born in Ohio, in 1820, and she died in 1852. Isaac P. C. Steddom was eleven years old when his mother died. Hle received an excellent educational training in the schools of Ohio and subsequently at- tended Earlham College, to which institution of learning he was sent by his aunt, Maria Compton, as was also his brother William and sister Anna. During his early life he made his home with his grandfather, Samuel Steddom, on a farm near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, and when he reached maturity took charge of the farm of many acres, partially under cultivation, and continued to manage it until Jan. 9. 1867. Hle then moved to Wayne county. Indiana, where he rented a farm in Webster township seven years. He then rented a farm of his father-in-law in the same township one year, and in 1876 moved to the village of Webster, where he has continuously resided since. For years he gave his attention to carpentering and contracting work, and he conducted a general store in Webster four years, serving as postmaster at the same time. and he retired from both duties in 1910. In politics he is allied with the Republican party and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the community, having served as justice of the peace fourteen consecutive years. He is associated with the Friends' church. On June 24, 1865, Mr. Steddom was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Puckett, of Randolph county. She is a daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Knight) Puckett, who came from North Carolina to Randolph county, where the father farmed many years. lle later purchased a farm in Wayne county, adjoin-
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ing the present home of George W. Pitts, and there the mother died, May 1, 1876, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Puckett then re- turned to Randolph county and spent the residue of his life at the home of his son, dying March 28, 1894, at the age of eighty-seven years. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Mrs. Steddom, who was born Nov. 1, 1841, and was educated in Randolph and Wayne counties. One of the sons, Calvin, was a veteran of the Civil war and served as commissioner of Randolph county. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Steddom were born six children : Wilhelmina, born July 7, 1866, is the wife of George W. Pitts (see sketch ) ; Cora, born June 24, 1867, is the widow of Charles Bartlemay, of Goshen, Ind., where she has been a teacher in the Goshen schools the past twenty years, and she has a son, Charles; William Orange, born April 4, 1869, is a carpenter and contractor at Richmond and is married to Elnora Tingler; John F., born March 20, 1874, mar- ried Grace Duke and they have four children-Lewis, Lowell, Ken- neth, and Mabel V .; and Calvin and Clarkson are twins, born Jan. 14, 1878, the latter died March 6, 1900, and the former is married to Helen Catanaugh and they have two daughters-Margaret and Elenore.
William Moore, a popular citizen of Webster township, is one of the successful farmers of the younger generation in his native county and is known as an able and discriminating agriculturist and as one who enjoys in marked degree the esteem of his fellow men. He was born in Wayne township, this county, Aug. 4. 1870, a son of Benjamin and Sarah ( MeWhinney) Moore, the former born in this county, Jan. 1, 1837, and the latter at West Florence, Ohio, March 30, 1836, so that in the paternal line the subject of this sketch is a representative of the third generation in Wayne county and a representative of a pioneer family of this section of the State. Benjamin Moore was always a farmer by occupation and also operated a saw mill and threshing machinery to some extent. In the fall of 1873 he located on the farm now owned by his son William, and he also owned a farm in Preble county, Ohio, although he lived there only a few months. He died Dec. 2, 1925. his wife having passed away. March 29. 1891. Of their two children, William is the eldest, and Harry, born July 6, 1874, died Dec. 2, 1899. William Moore was reared to maturity in Webster township and there duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, and when twelve years old began working for others as a farm hand, also working with threshing machines. He worked for others until married and then rented his father's farm until 1906. On May 14, of that year, he purchased the old homestead, consist- ing of ninety acres of land, and this he operated in a general way. In politics Mr. Moore is a staunch advocate of the principles of the Republican party and is the incumbent of the office of supervisor of District No. 1. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, Lodge No. 667, and also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Lodge No. 371, being a Past Grand in the local organization of the last named fraternity. On June 25. 1891. Mr. Moore was united in'
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marriage to Miss Florence E. Sullivan, born in Webster township, Dec. 15. 1869, a daughter of John Wesley and Annie (Overman) Sullivan, natives of Webster township. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Moore is the eldest ; Mary C. is the wife of Arthur T. King, a barber, of Richmond; and J. Everett is a book- keeper and resides in West Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children-Dayton Ivan, born May 16, 1892, and Benjamin Lewis, born Nov. 17, 1894. The father of Mrs. Moore was born Jan. 4. 1847, and the mother on April 24, 1848. In early life the father learned the carpenter trade, which he has always followed, although he owns and lives on a farm in Webster township.
William Henry Harrison Jay is numbered among the success- Inl farmers and stock growers of Webster township and is a scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of Indiana. He was born in Webster township, May 25, 1867, a son of Henry and Alice ( Hol- lingsworth) Jay (see sketch of Francis D. Jay). William H1. 11. Jay was reared to the life of the farm and secured his early educa- tional training in the schools of the village of Webster. He con- tinned to be associated with his father in farming operations until twenty-one years old, when he received an interest in the home- stead and also rented land and engaged in farming from that time on, residing on his farm of ninety-four acres, one of the fine farms of the county, which he operates in a general way. Though not active in political affairs, Mr. Jay gives loyal support to the cause of the Republican party, and holds membership in the Dover Friends' Church of Webster. In 1893 Mr. Jay was united in mar- riage to Miss Lulu Atkinson, born in Webster township, Sept. 6, 1875, daughter of Henry and Charity Ann ( Mendenhall) Atkinson, well known residents of Wayne county. Both are living and are the parents of two children-Mrs. Jay and Charles, the son being a carpenter contractor and a resident of the village of Webster. Mrs. Jay died in November, 1900, having become the mother of two sons-Adelbert Henry, who resides with his uncle, Francis D. Jay; and Herschel D., who resides with his grandparents. Mr. Jay is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 391. at Webster.
John Flatley left upon the civic and business annals of the township of Webster a definite impress for good and long stood as one of the representative citizens of Wayne county, where the major portion of his life was passed. He continued his residence in Webster township until his death, Feb. 14, 1910, and his name is there held in lasting honor. John Flatley was born near the Chapel of Nock, in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1837, a son of William and Jennie Flatley, natives of the Emerald Isle, where they spent the entire period of their lives. John Flatley came to America at the age of twenty-five years and first located in the city of Rich- mond, where he worked in Patterson's plow shop continuously until 1886. He then purchased the farm where his family resides, in Webster township, which tract consists of 330 acres of land. Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he was thereafter identified with that line of enterprise during the remainder of his
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active career. He operated the farm with the aid of his sons and also engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs. He was a man who ever commanded popular confidence and esteem and his circle of friends was particularly wide. An old log cabin was the only dwelling house on his farm when he purchased it, in 1886, and he erected the present buildings and put the place in modern shape, through hard work and industry: He earned all he possessed, assisted by his good wife. On Sept. 6, 1878, Mr. Flat- ley was united in marriage to Bridget Henry, born in County Mayo, Ireland, Jan. 1, 1859, a daughter of Edward and Katharine (Mad- den) Henry, who lived out their lives in their native land. When Mrs. Flatley was fourteen years old she came to America with a Mrs. Sheridan and a Mrs. Welsh, a sister living in Madison hav- ing preceded her to America, and she worked in a private family until her marriage. In conclusion is entered brief record concern- ing the children of Mr. and Mrs. Flatley: John, born July 31, 1879, resides with his mother; Edward, born May 31, 1881, died Oct. 20, 1898; William, born July 15, 1883, resides with his mother, as do also Peter, born Sept. 15, 1885, and Luke, born May 20, 1887. The sons operate the homestead for their mother. Mr. Flatley was and the surviving members of his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of Richmond, and his remains lie in St. Mary's Cemetery. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement, owing to an accidental fall which crippled him for the last ten years of his life. He was a member of the Democratic party and was very active in its behalf.
John D. Crowe was born at Centerville, Wayne county, March 2, 1858, the first born of the union of Nelson and Margaret (Smith) Crowe, the former born in Center township, this county, Sept. 6, 1826, and the latter in Boston township, this county, Oct. 1, 1834. In early life the father learned the trade of a blacksmith and fol- lowed that occupation at Centerville until 1862, when he purchased a farm in Boston township and engaged in farming there until his death, Jan. 3. 1908, his wife having passed away Oct. 5, 1881. They were the parents of seven children: John D. is the eldest ; George WV. is a farmer and resides near Denver, Col .; Frank is a musician and resides in Albuquerque, N. M .; Schuyler resides in New Cas- tle, Ind .; Walter W. is an electrician and is also engaged in the orchard business in Oregon; Luella is the wife of Herbert E. Druley, of Richmond; and Clark is a farmer and resides in Boston township. John D. Crowe remained with his father until 1876 and then started out in life for himself, going first to the city of Rich- mond, where he secured employment in the Sedgwick fence fac- tory and remained with that concern seventeen years, having charge of the erection of the wire machines, etc. The concern having been purchased by other parties and removed to Detroit, Mich., Mr. Crowe removed to that city and resided there four years, serving in the capacity of foreman of the fence department of the factory. IJe then returned to Wayne county and engaged in farming upon the place where he resides. It consists of 185 acres. He owns' property in Richmond and in Boston township. On Oct. 5, 1886,
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